You know, Country & Western!
This ain't your Dad's country music. It's your Granddad's! None of that new Nashville bullshit either. This is where you'll find what I consider the best in Country (Classic and Alt), Folk, and Americana.
Catching Elephant is a theme by Andy Taylor
Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs - Nashville Cats
Master banjo picker Earl Scruggs would have been 89 today. Born 1/6/24.
Here’s Earl & Doc Watson picking together on John Hardy & Cripple Creek.
Roy Acuff & His Smokey Mountain Boys - Wabash Cannonball
That one guy’s making choo-choo sounds with his mouth! Bonus, eefin’ Jimmie Riddle on doghouse bass.
Hayseed Dixie - Hell’s Bells
This group’s schtick is mostly bluegrass covers of arena rock with originals thrown in. For my money, their debut of all AC/DC is where they got it right and the rest pales. You can hear the heart in it - after that the songs just feel like “oh hey, this cover thing works so lets do more…a lot more.”
(Source: Spotify)
Trampled By Turtles - Keys To Paradise
From their new album, Stars and Satellites. Mighty fine stuff.
(Source: Spotify)
Trampled By Turtles - Help You
past my prime now daily,
i have to sit and think,
turn out the lights and maybe,
i’ll have another drink…
Neat.
Well everyone, today I have a very special treat for you..my very first field recording!The subject is none other than California’s own Frank Fairfield. I ‘ve had the pleasure of seeing Frank play several times and he never disappoints. Frank is really doing a great job of getting out there and bringing the music of the people back to the people who have forgotten that it was theirs to begin with. Frank is no fly-by-night snake oil salesmen, he is the real deal. He lives and breathes traditional music of the United States and beyond, and it’s painfully obvious when you see him live. He really puts his blood and sweat into giving folks the best show he can. Check out Franks records at Tompkins Square Records.The show was set-up with about 24 hours notice as a warm-up performance for Franks’ appearance at Hardly-Strictly-Bluegrass today. The show took place in a little park directly behind the DMV office in Oakland. Surrounded by a circle of candles Frank played 7 songs that i’ve never seen him play live before. It was a very intimate experience that the folks in attendance will never forget. I want to personally thank a fellow named Tim for pulling a good show off at the last minute.Notes on the recording: This is the first time i’ve ever used my Zoom H2 digital recorder, but I think it did a great job considering i’ve hardly read the instructions. There was a busy main street and a gaggle of young skateboard punks shredding and screaming in the DMV parking lot just beyond Frank. I suppose that’s the nature of field recordings though, you get whatever is happening that moment whether it’s intended to be recorded or not. I did my best to boost the sound as much as possible, but It’s not as loud as I’d like it to be. I recommend burning the files to CD and listening to it on your home stereo where you can crank the volume and it will sound much better. Thanks for listening and ENJOY!Tracklist1. Cluck Old Hen (partial)
2. Going Across The Sea
3. Lonesome And Blue
4.Sally Ann
5.John Hardy
6. Cannonball
7. Chilly Winds
Steve Earle & The Del McCoury Band - Leroy’s Dustbowl Blues
Trampled By Turtles. Leave it to a bunch of guys from our shared Motherland of Minnesota to play the show in plaid. Haven’t seen them since I left about 3 years ago and was pleasantly surprised to hear the applause and see how huge of a following they have now.
The Secret Sisters & the Punch Brothers - Big River
Expect shaky cam footage this weekend. Maybe Thile and Daves will jam with the Sisters.
Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers - King Tut (Live)
I haven’t heard this in YEARS!
Trampled By Turtles - It’s a War
A little speed bluegrass to get you fired up.
the soggy bottom boys - i am a man of constant sorrow
I haven’t heard this in a looong time. Overplayed it in the early aughts and shelved it. Time for a good dusting off.
(Source: the-hi-sign)
Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs - Foggy Mountain Breakdown
Jim & Jennie & the Pinetops - Country Boy Rock’N’Roll
These guys were so much fun. I don’t know what happened to them or where they went, but I sure do miss their sounds.
